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FAQ - Tooth Replacement

Are there different kinds of tooth implants?

Yes there are. There exist a wide variety of dental implants, resulting in various prices as well. The price depends on the material used in the crown and abutment, as well as length of the guarantee on the implant. We provide porcelain, metal fused implants as well as the more prestigious and expensive procera and zirconium varieties as well.

How much does a dental implant cost?

At Forest and Ray Ltd we are committed to bringing you the most competitive prices available. However, you must keep in mind that this is a surgical procedure, which requires a highly skilled staff and a serious investment in terms of materials and appliances used. To determine a precise price one would need to come in for a dental implant consultation, where a doctor would actually see, with his own eyes, the tooth and jaw in question, thus being able to make a decision based on his or her professional expertise.

Is this procedure painful?

There is a certain level of discomfort involved, as can be expected with any invasive surgery. To maximize comfort, we offer local anesthetic, and, only optionally, we also offer sedation. As part of the after treatment we do offer a prescription for painkillers, for there may be some pain felt during recovery. We always keep in touch with our patients during the healing period, and we encourage calls during this period as well, if any additional discomfort is felt.

How long is the procedure, and how many appointments does it take until I have a new tooth?

A couple of days after the consultation session you will receive a treatment plan, where an outline of the procedures will be given and every procedure itemized. If you partake in our treatment, you start with an implantation session in our central London clinic. Ten days after the implant has been inserted you should come back to the clinic, where we take an x-ray and check up on your oral status. This check up may also include the removal of stitches, and small adjustments to the implant itself. This check up can be done by a certified dentist, so you do not absolutely need to come to the surgery if you are not experiencing any pain or discomfort.

Four months after the dental implant has been implanted an uncovering session will take place, where a healing screw with an abutment will be placed onto the implant. During this session the imprint for the final, permanent crown will be taken. Three weeks after that a final session will be held, once the abutment has settled onto the implant, because that is when the abutment is ready to hold the permanent, new crown.

Are dental implants safe? How long will they last?

Dental implant technology is a safe, well-established, and low risk type of surgery. Statistically, 90% of modern implants last for at 15 years or more with normal care and precautions. The lifespan is affected by your own dental and oral care, as well as lifestyle and medical conditions.

Is the procedure safe? Do implants have an expiration date?

Dental implants are safe; they have been around long enough to be very well established and recognized as a low risk type of surgery. To give you a statistic, 90% of dental implants last for 15 years or longer, taking the normal precautions and applying standard dental care. The lifespan of the apparatus depends greatly on your oral health as well as the lifestyle you lead, and any medical conditions you might have.

How long do I have to wait after an extraction before it is healed?

Usually, the human periodontal tissue heals itself in 3-4 months after a tooth has been extracted from it. The healing time can be as long as six months, though, and depending on your condition, it can take a lot longer as well. Each person heals at different rates, and it is hard to set a time that is universal for everyone, but most people heal within 3 to 4 months after extraction.

Things that may hinder your ability to heal are diseases such as diabetes, HIV and other autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis, necrosis of the jaw, haemophilia and other diseases relating to the coagulation of blood. A bloodclot needs to form in order to heal the gums and the periodontium, and diseases that prevent the formation of said bloodclot will make healing times much longer. Habits like smoking, drinking alcohol, consuming marijuana, and anything else that dries out the mucus membranes are also likely to slow down healing times considerably.

Infections inside the mouth can make it literally impossible to heal completely, as the open wound will become infected from the bacteria living inside the mouth. This is why it is important to take care of any and all periodontal diseases you may have before your extraction, but if that is not possible, you should take antibiotics as well as go back to the dentist to have your periodontal diseases cleared up during your healing time.